Frederick Ashworth Signed Index Card (PSA) WWII Bockscar Weaponeer Nagasaki Mission

"**Hand-Signed Index Card by Rear Admiral Frederick L. Ashworth – WWII Bockscar Weaponeer, Nagasaki Atomic Mission – Encapsulated by PSA/DNA**

Presented is a rare and historically significant **hand-signed index card by Rear Admiral Frederick L. Ashworth**, who served as the **Weaponeer aboard the B-29 *Bockscar*** during the atomic bombing of **Nagasaki, Japan** on **August 9, 1945**. This authentic signature is **encapsulated by PSA/DNA Authentication Services**, ensuring its legitimacy and long-term preservation.

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### **About Rear Admiral Frederick L. Ashworth**

**Frederick Lincoln Ashworth** (1912–2005) was a decorated United States Navy officer and a key figure in the culmination of the Manhattan Project. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a veteran of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Ashworth was selected in 1944 to become one of the Navy’s liaisons to the Manhattan Project.

As the **Weaponeer on the B-29 *Bockscar*** during the **Nagasaki mission**, Ashworth was responsible for arming and deploying the **""Fat Man"" plutonium bomb**. He made real-time decisions regarding the bomb's functionality, target verification, and mission continuation. His expertise and composure under pressure were vital to the successful detonation of the second atomic bomb, which ultimately contributed to the end of World War II.

Ashworth later rose to the rank of **Rear Admiral**, serving with distinction in nuclear weapons development and naval aviation.

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### **About the 509th Composite Group**

The **509th Composite Group** was an elite and highly secretive unit of the **United States Army Air Forces**, created in 1944 under the command of **Colonel Paul Tibbets**. The group was uniquely tasked with executing the world’s first atomic bombing missions.

Trained at Wendover Army Air Field and later stationed at **Tinian Island** in the Pacific, the 509th flew the **Enola Gay** on August 6, 1945, over **Hiroshima**, and **Bockscar** on August 9, 1945, over **Nagasaki**. These missions were the only operational uses of nuclear weapons in warfare and were instrumental in securing Japan's unconditional surrender.

The 509th’s unprecedented precision, discipline, and secrecy remain a landmark in both aviation and military history.

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### **Item Details**

- **Signer**: Rear Admiral Frederick L. Ashworth

- **Role**: Weaponeer, B-29 *Bockscar*, Nagasaki Mission

- **Unit**: 509th Composite Group, United States Army Air Forces

- **Date of Mission**: August 9, 1945

- **Format**: Hand-signed 3x5 index card

- **Authentication**: **Encapsulated by PSA/DNA Authentication Services**

- **Condition**: Bold, clean signature in fine condition

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This authentic, encapsulated signature of **Frederick Ashworth** represents a profound piece of **World War II atomic history**, directly linked to the **Nagasaki mission** and the legacy of the **509th Composite Group**. A museum-grade acquisition for collectors of **military history**, **Manhattan Project memorabilia**, and **aviation ephemera**."

A portion of the sale of this auction will be donated to the General James. H Doolittle Scholarship Fund. The General James H. Doolittle Scholarship Fund was founded to assist college students by awarding one scholarship annually in the maximum amount of $5,000 to a deserving student who is pursuing a baccalaureate or advanced degree in aeronautical engineering or an aerospace science. Students are selected based on their scholastic achievement, school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential and financial need. More information can be found at the Doolittle Scholarship Funds’ website.

The autograph(s) has been authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA for authenticity purposes.

Authentication: PSA Encapsulated

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.